Simmering Love (Slow Burn Book 3) by Jacie Lennon

Author:Jacie Lennon [Lennon, Jacie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-06-10T16:00:00+00:00

18

Pepper

“Pepper? What’s going on? You’re acting strange,” Mom asks, laying her fork down.

I feel so awkward, and I cut my eyes to the side, not looking at anyone. I shouldn’t have told Ben it was okay for him to be here. This is embarrassing as hell.

“Pepper?” My dad’s voice cuts through my avoidance fog, and I look up, seeing both of their confused expressions. “Are you feeling all right? You’ve gone white.”

Mom stands up to touch the back of her hand to my forehead like I’m a child.

“I’m fine,” I say and then clear my throat.

Ben presses his leg against mine, and I look over to see him giving me two thumbs-up underneath the table. I grin and then try to conceal it before my parents think I’ve officially lost it.

“Mom, Dad, I have something I need to tell you.”

They both sit there with expectant looks on their faces, and I decide to just do it, consequences be damned.

“I’m not going to Vanderbilt.” It comes out in a rush, and I suddenly feel like I can’t breathe, but I’m free at the same time.

“What?” they both say and then look at each other.

“What do you mean, you aren’t going to Vanderbilt?” Mom’s voice comes out high-pitched.

I cringe. “Well, I should have told you before—”

“Yes, you should have. What are you doing with our money?” My dad’s gruff tone makes me pause before the anger sets in.

“I haven’t touched the money you gave me. I’m using my own money for tuition to culinary school.”

Silence hangs in the air over us. I can’t look away from my parents, but the child in me wants to run and hide in my room.

If you are big enough to get yourself into this mess, you are big enough to get yourself out.

“Culinary school?” Mom says, eyes wide.

“What money?” Dad asks.

“Yes,” I say, crossing my arms. “I sold some stock I had in Stratten Enterprises, and I’m using it for tuition.”

“You sold your stock?” Dad’s voice rises, and I cringe.

Ben stands up beside me, murmuring something about going to check on Danger, who is not even ten feet away from us.

“I’m sorry I kept this from you. I was so scared of disappointing you both, and I know how you planned for me to take over the business once Dad retires, but … that’s not what I want.”

“That’s not what you want,” Dad says incredulously. “Why wouldn’t you just tell us that?”

“No,” I state firmly, “it’s not what I want. I have told you that before. You’ve just never listened.”

“Honey, we didn’t think you were very serious,” Mom says, leaning to place her hand on my arm where it’s tapping the top of the table. “We thought it was more of a hobby of yours. I know how much you enjoyed baking with your grandma.”

“I thought you would try to talk me out of it,” I say, fighting the urge to look away from them.

“It was a really stupid decision—” Dad starts to say.

“Patrick,” Mom says, cutting him off.

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